Getting combined Gas and Electric for first time

double0

Hi all,

I'm in the process of moving from a flat (no gas - night storage heaters) to a house (gas and electric). Obviously, I was on the cheapest I could be for electric only in the flat, but I'd like to be on the cheapest tariff from day one in the house. There are four people living in the house we are buying, but only two of us, so can't really use their usage in order to seek out the best deals.

Does anyone have any hints as to how to estimate our costs? Or is it just best to stick it out a year and then compare with actual figures?

Thanks for any help!

System

You are on a Deemed Contract with the existing energy supplier from the day that you takeover responsibility for the property. You need to contact them with your details and meter readings. You are then free to switch. Use medium usage figures (c.3000 kWhs/year for electricity and 12500kWhs/year for gas) and use a PCW to ascertain the cheapest supplier for your area. I would also look for a deal with no exit fees. Monitor your usage by providing your supplier with actual meter readings once a month. Remember, for gas heating you will use 70% of your annual usage during the Winter months.

If I was switching today, I would look at Zog for gas and Bulb for electricity (there are £50 off referral fees on many forums). Both suppliers are competitive and have good CS feedback.

footyguy

double0 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm in the process of moving from a flat (no gas - night storage heaters) to a house (gas and electric). Obviously, I was on the cheapest I could be for electric only in the flat, but I'd like to be on the cheapest tariff from day one in the house. There are four people living in the house we are buying, but only two of us, so can't really use their usage in order to seek out the best deals.

Does anyone have any hints as to how to estimate our costs? Or is it just best to stick it out a year and then compare with actual figures?

Thanks for any help!

You cannot switch supplier until you have a supplier, so you will need to register with the existing supplier first.

Ways to estimate your anticipated annual consumption at your new home may include asking existing occupants, referring to the EPC, and/or consulting a comparison site.

Most comparsion sites will help you estimate anticipated annual consumption based on other factors when you do not know the figure in kWh yourself

And, of course, the comparison site will then provide you with the best tariffs for that anticipated annual consumption. Consider both seperate suppliers as well as dual fuel suppliers to ensure you get yourself the best deal.

When you have estimated anticipated annual consumption like this, it's all the more important to keep a close eye on/ track your usage to see you are using what was estimated; no more and no less.

If you find the estimate is out, then consult a comparison site again with revised figures and consider action if appropriate.

Good luck!

Chrishazle

There's only 2 of us in a smallish 4 bed detached, I had to do the rounds in Feb for a dual fuel deal to replace BG, and ended up with Affect Energy. Customer service is excellent, no problems so far. They do ask for monthly meter readings, not too much of a chore, and it means you and they keep track of your useage. I'd recommend them.

double0

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies.

Our chain fell through on Tuesday evening so it now looks like I'll be getting another electric only deal for the meantime :-( But I shall bear in mind the tips on estimating our usage for when it finally does happen!